Panipat by Vishwas Patil: A Must-Read Marathi Book for History Lovers PDF Download
Panipat by Vishwas Patil: A Historical Novel on the Third Battle of Panipat
If you are interested in Indian history, especially the history of the Maratha Empire, you might have heard of the book Panipat by Vishwas Patil. This book is a historical novel that narrates the events and characters of the third battle of Panipat, which took place on January 14, 1761. This battle was one of the most decisive and tragic battles in Indian history, as it pitted the mighty Maratha army against the invading Afghan army led by Ahmad Shah Abdali. The outcome of this battle changed the course of Indian history and had a lasting impact on the Maratha Empire. In this article, we will explore what this book is about, why it is important, and how it portrays the historical facts and figures.
panipat by vishwas patil pdf in marathi free download
The Background of the Battle of Panipat
The battle of Panipat was not an isolated event, but a culmination of a long series of political and military developments that shaped the Indian subcontinent in the 18th century. One of these developments was the rise and expansion of the Maratha Empire, which emerged as a powerful force after the decline of the Mughal Empire. The Marathas were a warrior caste from western India who followed a Hindu sect called Shivaji. They were led by a succession of brave and ambitious rulers, such as Shivaji, Sambhaji, Rajaram, Tarabai, Shahu, Balaji Vishwanath, Bajirao I, Balaji Bajirao, Nanasaheb Peshwa, Sadashivrao Bhau, and others. Under their leadership, the Marathas conquered large parts of India, from Gujarat to Bengal, from Rajasthan to Mysore. They established a confederacy of states that paid tribute to them and acknowledged their supremacy. They also challenged and defeated other regional powers, such as the Nizam of Hyderabad, the Nawab of Bengal, and the Mysore Sultanate.
The Course of the Battle of Panipat
The Maratha army, led by Sadashivrao Bhau, reached Panipat in November 1760, after a long and exhausting march from Pune. They set up their camp near the town, blocking the road to Delhi. The Afghan army, led by Ahmad Shah Abdali, arrived a few days later and encircled the Maratha camp, cutting off their supplies and communication. The two armies faced each other for almost two months, during which time they engaged in several minor clashes and diplomatic negotiations. The Marathas tried to break the siege by sending emissaries to the Mughal emperor Alamgir II and other local rulers, but they received little or no support. The Afghans tried to persuade the Marathas to accept their terms, which included ceding Punjab and Sindh to them and paying a large tribute, but the Marathas refused to compromise their sovereignty and honor.
The stalemate was finally broken on January 14, 1761, when the Marathas decided to launch a full-scale attack on the Afghan lines. The Maratha army consisted of about 45,000 infantry, 15,000 cavalry, and 200 guns, while the Afghan army had about 40,000 cavalry, 15,000 infantry, and 70 guns. The Maratha infantry was divided into three divisions: the left wing under Vishwasrao Peshwa, the son of Balaji Bajirao; the center under Sadashivrao Bhau; and the right wing under Malharrao Holkar. The Maratha cavalry was divided into two wings: the left wing under Ibrahim Khan Gardi, a former Mughal officer who had joined the Marathas; and the right wing under Dattaji Shinde, a cousin of Bhau. The Afghan army was also divided into three divisions: the left wing under Najib-ud-Daula, a Rohilla chief who had allied with Abdali; the center under Abdali himself; and the right wing under Shuja-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Awadh who had also joined Abdali.
The battle began at dawn with a heavy artillery exchange between the two sides. The Maratha guns were more numerous and powerful than the Afghan guns, and they inflicted heavy casualties on the Afghan ranks. However, the Maratha gunners soon ran out of ammunition and were unable to reload their guns due to the lack of proper supply. The Afghan gunners took advantage of this situation and continued to fire at the Maratha lines. The Maratha infantry then advanced towards the Afghan center, hoping to break through their defenses and reach Abdali's camp. However, they faced stiff resistance from the Afghan musketeers and swordsmen, who fought with great courage and skill. The Maratha infantry also suffered from poor coordination and communication among their divisions, as they had no clear command structure or signals. The Afghan cavalry then launched a series of charges on both flanks of the Maratha army, creating panic and confusion among them. The Maratha cavalry tried to counter-attack and protect their infantry, but they were outnumbered and outmatched by the Afghan horsemen. The battle turned into a massacre as the Afghans surrounded and slaughtered the Marathas from all sides. Many Maratha leaders and soldiers fell on the battlefield, including Vishwasrao Peshwa, Ibrahim Khan Gardi, Dattaji Shinde, Jankoji Shinde, Shamsher Bahadur (the son of Bajirao I and Mastani), and others. Sadashivrao Bhau was wounded and captured by an Afghan soldier named Shahnawaz Khan. He was later killed by an enraged Afghan soldier who recognized him as the killer of his brother in an earlier skirmish. The battle lasted for about six hours and ended with a complete victory for Abdali.
The Aftermath of the Battle of Panipat
A: Panipat by Vishwas Patil was first published in Marathi in 1988 by Rajhans Prakashan. It was later translated into Hindi, English, and other languages. [27]
Q: How many pages does Panipat by Vishwas Patil have?
A: Panipat by Vishwas Patil has 626 pages in the original Marathi edition. The number of pages may vary in different editions and translations. [28]
Q: How can I get a free PDF of Panipat by Vishwas Patil?
A: You can get a free PDF of Panipat by Vishwas Patil from various websites that offer free e-books. However, you should be careful about the quality and legality of the PDF files. You should also respect the author's rights and avoid piracy. Alternatively, you can buy a hard copy or an e-book of Panipat by Vishwas Patil from online or offline bookstores. [29]
Q: Who won the third battle of Panipat?
A: The third battle of Panipat was won by the Afghan army led by Ahmad Shah Abdali, who defeated the Maratha army led by Sadashivrao Bhau. The battle resulted in a huge loss of life and territory for the Maratha Empire and a temporary ascendancy of the Afghan Empire in northern India. [22] [23] [24]
Q: What is the significance of the third battle of Panipat?
A: The third battle of Panipat is considered to be one of the most significant and decisive battles in Indian history, as it changed the course and fate of several empires and dynasties. The battle marked the end of the Maratha supremacy and expansion in India, and paved the way for the rise of the British East India Company as the dominant power in India. The battle also weakened the Mughal Empire and its allies, and allowed the emergence of new regional powers, such as the Sikhs, Jats, Rajputs, and others. The battle also had a lasting impact on the culture and society of India, as it inspired many literary and artistic works, as well as folk songs and legends. [30] [31] [32]